Rudbeckia hirta -L.-
black-eyed susan, bachelor's button


Entry Type: Species

Species Name: Rudbeckia hirta -L.-

Common Name: black-eyed susan, bachelor's button

Myaamia Name: mahkateewiciiphkiki

Description:

Harvest Seasons: Undetermined

Harvest Comments:

Habitats: Undetermined

Uses: Medicinal, Customs

Locations: Undetermined

Sources

Gatschet, A.S. ca. 1895

Reference Type: Description

Archival Data:

Gatschet describes the plant as "a weed 2 to 3 feet high with yellow berries or buttons".

Comments: N/A

Gatschet, A.S. ca. 1895

Reference Type: Use - Customs

Archival Data:

Used to protect against bad spirits or witches: "carried in pocket as charm against spirit or witches".

Comments: N/A

Gatschet, A.S. ca. 1895

Reference Type: Use - Medicinal

Archival Data:

Used to treat coughs and sore throats.

Comments: N/A

Steyermark, J.A. 1963

Reference Type: Description

Archival Data:

Steyermark remarks that Rudbeckia hirta var. homochroma has yellow disk as well as ray flowers. The dense, compact cone of yellow disk flowers could be what Gatschet describes as a yellow "berry".

Comments: N/A

Dunn, J.P. ca. 1900

Reference Type: Description

Archival Data:

"I have not seen this plant but imagine that it is Rudbeckia hirta, as the Indian said "the Whites call it bachelor's button, because a button grows on the top, which is in the midst of a brown flower. The stalks are from two to three feet tall".

Comments: N/A

Dunn, J.P. ca. 1900

Reference Type: Use - Customs

Archival Data:

Roots are used to protect from bad spirits. "makkatewitchipkiki or makatewi tchipkiki", the medicine was "rubbed on a gun-barrel, and then fired at any strange noise which they suspected to be made by spirits . . . serving as a charm or amulet, small pieces of the root are carried in the pocket and keep off spirits, witches, etc., a practice which is now obsolete among Peoria. Whites call it "Bachelor's button" and grows here on the Peoria Reservation".

 

Comments: N/A

Small, J.K. 1903

Reference Type: Habitat

Archival Data :

Occurs in many habitats, including open woods, roadsides and fields, throughout eastern and western Myaamia lands.

Comments: N/A

Gleason, H.A. and Cronquist, A. 1991

Reference Type: Related Info

Archival Data:

Rudbeckia hirta is considered R. serotina in some sources.

Comments: N/A

Legends

  • L.: L. stands for Carl Linneaus, a Swedish botanist and zoologist living from 1707 - 1778, who formed the binomial nomenclature system for scientific naming of species (the two part name). His initial after a scientific name indicates he was the authority for that species name.
  • sp.: Indicates the actual species name cannot or need not be specified. Example: Lilium sp. indicates a single species in the genus Lilium that is not known or does not need to be specified.
  • spp.: (plural) indicates "several species", two or more species of the given genus. Example: Lilium spp. indicates 2 or more species in the genus that cannot or do not need to be distinguished.
  • Use - Unknown: A record for this plant exists but does not include explicit information about the plant's cultural use. It is probable the Myaamia used the plant.
  • Botanical Sources: Sources of any botanical data for this plant species that is not related to its cultural use or significance.
  • Related Sources: Data indirectly related to Myaamia ethnobotany, including non-Myaamia uses of the plant in contemporary and historic times.
  • Myaamia Archival Sources: All records of plant use obtained directly from a Myaamia tribal member in an interview, recorded by a second party or by self-recording.
  • Undetermined (Plant Use): There exists use or other information about a certain, unknown plant species, but the specific species has not yet been determined.
  • Medicinal: For the purposes of this database, medicinal uses of plants and medicinal knowledge are defined as: Commonly held communal knowledge regarding the use of plant-based substances that aid in maintaining a healthy mind, body or spirit, including tonics and teas.
  • Technology: For the purposes of this database, technological uses of plants are defined as: Plants used in the making of food processing, canoes, rafts, dyes, tools, utensils, weapons, hunting and fishing gear (i.e. net, weir, etc.), cordage, string, rope, fodder plant species, firewood, any plants used in trade, etc.
  • Material: For the purposes of this database, material uses of plants are defined as: Plants used in construction of dwellings (floor mats, roofing, side walls), furniture, baskets, storage items, musical instruments, games, crafts, jewelry, cordage used in crafts, etc.
  • Food: For the purposes of this database, food uses of plants are defined as: Plants used as consumed food, spices and seasonings, but not teas or tonics.
  • Customs: For the purposes of this database, customary uses of plants are defined as: Plants involved in a customary ceremony, ritual or traditional event, including ritual smoking, chewing tobacco, war rituals, special mats used to sit on during ceremonies. Customary uses of plants, in this database, does not including plants used for recreation (material), structures where ceremonies take place (material) or medicinal smoking (medicinal).
  • Eastern Myaamia Lands: Eastern Myaamia lands (eastern myaamionki) are centered around northern Indiana, and including western Ohio, eastern Illinois, southern Michigan, and the northernmost portions of Kentucky.
  • Western Myaamia Lands: Western Myaamia lands (western myaamionki) include western Kansas and northeastern Oklahoma.